France Wants to Cease Fossil Fuel Production by 2040

Setting a Precedent

On Wednesday, France made public its decision to do away with oil and gas production. For the home of the historic Paris Climate Agreement, this shouldn't come as a surprise. Indeed, the move was made in hopes of setting a precedent, encouraging other nations around the world to follow suit.

According to various reports, the draft law approved by the French cabinet promises to stop granting new permits, as well ceases the renewing existing licenses for the extraction of gas or oil in mainland France (and its territories) by 2040. By then, France will have also halted its oil and gas production.

"We are the first country to take this step (phasing out fossil fuel production)," high-profile environmentalist Nicolas Hulot told AFP. "I think other countries are going to follow our path." Hulot was appointed back in May by French president Emmanuel Macron to be the minister for ecological transition.

Determined Effort

The decision comes as part of France's overall efforts towards a carbon neutral and sustainable future by 2050. It also isn't the first plan the French government is implementing to reduce the country's carbon footprint.

Back in November 2016, France announced that it would close down all of its remaining coal-fire power plants by 2023. The government then decided to ban petrol and diesel vehicles in the country by 2040, as well as to reduce nuclear usage from 75 percent to 50 percent.

France's commitment makes for a stark contrast with the United States, where federal support for the Paris climate deal has been withdrawn. "Today, unfortunately, reality confirms every day that climate disasters are proliferating," Hulot said in a video, presenting the draft law. "In the United States they are talking about 100 billion dollars in damage for the last hurricane [Harvey]."

"We are determined in the face of climate change at a time when disasters are hitting us hard," the minister also tweeted. Aside from France, a number of other countries, as well as several U.S. states, and even a few corporations have also made similar plans to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, opting for renewable, cleaner alternatives. Will all these efforts, we might just be able to reach the Paris deal's emission goals.